Tuesday, March 10

Construction Review: MasterBox 35157 “The South of Europe, 1944 – US and German Paratroopers”

MasterBox is in the
art of cleaning up it’s act – it seems that they have been rudely interrupted
by yet more US and German Paratroopers. With our tongue firmly planted in our
cheek we build and review the bath time special in 35th scale- “The South of Europe, 1944 – US and German
Paratroopers”

Construction review:
“The South of Europe, 1944 – US and
German Paratroopers”

MasterBox from the Ukraine have
always brought out kits with plenty of emotion in their figures. Each of their figure
sets seem to convey a good deal of either human conflict or emotion. This set –
their new 1/35th figure set of four guys and two gals again puts us –
the viewer in an odd situation.

It has a long tittle “The South of Europe, 1944 – US and German
Paratroopers” and included are two lovely ladies in a state of undress having
what looks like an outdoor bath. The only problem is that there are some “Marty
McFly” style peeping toms that are gate-crashing and not really having eyes for
anything else (there was a war on) but the lovely ladies. The scene is
wonderfully captured on the box art by Mr Varavin. I would bet from the
attention this kit has gotten already the box art alone would have sold a bunch
of kits. I am sure it has awakened many modeller’s imaginations.

There are six figures in this kit, all injection moulded on one sprue of
grey (only one shade of grey and that’s the last movie related pun we will
make.) There are two GermanFallschirmjäger and two Allied US Paras as well as
two ladies wearing only the barest of necessities. We only really need to get
into what four of the six are wearing then!

The moulding on the six figures is relatively well done with not so much
as earlier efforts, we see just the lightest of seam lines to remove on each of
these figure’s bodies. The hair on the ladies and around the ears needs some
delicate carving as do some of the thinner parts. Otherwise the figures all go
together pretty easily without hassle and the construction phase really does
not take long.

On the rear of the box there is a construction and painting guide of
sorts. The figures are shown constructed in isolation and painted. The colour
key matches the Lifecolor and Vallejo colours given as a guide.

There is also a sprue map on the back of the box. The sprues themselves do
not have any numbers so this is a helpful guide as to where your parts are. As
always Masterbox includes each figure in a “Sek-Tor” for each one so you need
not look too far to put each figure together.

Speaking of figures let’s look at them shall we? Starting with the “Perverts”

The Kneeling German
Fallschirmjäger

This German is seen leaning down on his haunches as he looks at the show
going on before him. In long sleeve pants and shirt uniform he could suit a
summer or maybe spring/fall scenario (when else would people be bathing
outdoors.) Anyway this soldier wears the short brimmed helmet of the Fallschirmjäger
and a full pack including gas mask, entrenching tool, bread bag, flask and
canteen as well as his Kar.98 rifle and bandoleers of ammo in pouches on his
chest.

He is seen with his mouth open (surprised?) as he leans over on his
haunches. His wrinkled clothing is seen wrapping around his limbs in a
realistic fashion. He serves as a part of the duo as a leaning post and to be
honest you could use him in a number of various scenarios.

The crouching German
Fallschirmjäger

Leaning on is comrade – this fellow could be an officer or a NCO as his
shoulder boards look a fraction thicker at the edges – he also has an iron
cross at his throat and a pistol on his hip. He also carries an MP-40 machine
gun and ammo as well as the cylindrical gas mask, and flask hanging from his
webbing.

He is leaning on his junior comrade, again with his mouth a little open –
maybe talking to his mate and maybe drooling. Again the wrinkled clothing and
gear this soldier is wearing looks very much like a German para in all aspects.

And here they are together.

The Kneeling US Para

This US GI paratrooper is seen kneeling to the left and down on his
haunches while he looks at the action across the way. He wears a cloth covered
M1 helmet and a Garand rifle with cloth ammo bandoleer (a little like his German
kneeling counterpart.)

Interesting with this soldier is that he has the US flag recognition.
This was usually something soldiers wore after invasion when they were not
familiar with the civilian population. You can also clearly see the “AA” 82nd
Airborne Division patch on both of these GI’s left arms. A knife in his boot
adds some cool detail as well.

The Crouching US Para

This GI is looking very much like his compadre – baggy GI fatigues on
his body and both the 82nd airborne and the US flag patches clearly
visible on his shoulders he is again – mirroring his German opposite number –
leaning on his crouched comrade and he is a corporal as you can see the two
stripes on his sleeves.

Not only is he carrying his heavy backpack he wears a colt.45 in his hip
with a large “US” visible, a knife on his leg strapped on and this man has a
bare M1 helmet. Coolest thing about this corporal is his Tommy gun and ammo
which is nicely reproduced.

The Ladies…

The muse of the sculptor in this diorama and the centrepiece must be
these two ladies that are bathing outdoors un-aware of their being watched.

The two are without clothes except for their underwear. One of the ladies is
seen with a water jug pouring it over her companion whilst the other lady is
seen maybe washing he hair.

The lady with the water jug

the lady washing

All of the bits seem to be in the right places as far as my medical books tell
me…
And here they are all together – seen just as they are- some loose clothing on the ground is also included.

..and here they are how Masterbox portrays them made up - maybe in a shower block?

No doubt this set will sell like hotcakes. No doubt some people will say
“shame on you” but no doubt some people will just see how much of an
interesting scenario Masterbox have cooked up here. In fact a woman on the Facebook site said that she was buying this kit for her husband. So yes I tend to agree
with her and I think this kit is harmless.